FUNGAL nail infections are deemed one of the most embarrassing foot conditions, over verruca’s, warts, bunions even athlete’s foot.

Shockingly, this embarrassment means over one in five - 23 per cent - sufferers admit feeling so self-conscious that they refuse to walk barefoot in their own home, and 15 per cent make excuses not to take their shoes off when visiting others.

The survey, carried out with 2,000 people who suffer with fungal nails, reveals the extent of which people are worried about their infections with over one in ten to fourteen per cent - feeling anxious about taking their shoes off at airport security.

A third - 33 per cent - argue thickening and nail discolouration are the worst symptoms, with debris under the nail and dry and brittle nails coming in second at around 1 in 10 - 12 per cent.

Dina Gohil, podiatrist said: “Many don’t realise that fungal nail is a very common condition, with one in ten people suffering from the infection at some point in their lives.

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“Many sufferers feel embarrassed and self-conscious when it comes to their feet and often cause more damage by repeatedly painting over the problem, often leaving it untreated for several years.

“This really shouldn’t be the case, fungal nail infections can be treated with the right care, saving years of pain and embarrassment.

“If you notice symptoms including discoloured, brittle and crumbling nails effective treatments are available from your local pharmacy where you can also speak to your pharmacist for advice and recommendations before the condition worsens.”

Could poor hygiene be to blame?

The research reveals that bad hygiene habits could be one of the possible causes of fungal nail infections with over a third of sufferers - 34 per cent - admitting to wearing shoes without socks and one in five - 22 per cent - wear socks more than once without washing them.

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Fungal nail infections: The condition could be caused by poor hygiene

Over one in three - 37 per cent - believe that wearing hot and sweaty shoes has caused their fungal nail infection and a quarter - 25 per cent - believe their athlete’s foot was to blame.

Experts advise people can reduce their risk of developing a fungal nail infection by keeping their hands and feet dry, not sharing towels, keeping nails short and not walking around bare foot in public changing rooms or swimming pools.

While experts said it should be treated as soon as possible, over a quarter of sufferers said they wait until it becomes too painful to even walk or wear shoes before seeking medical advice or treatment.

In total, 65 per cent of fungal nail sufferers endure the infection for a month or more before treating and the average duration people suffered from fungal nail infections was 12 months, with many dreading the summer months.

Here are some of the most common embarrassing problems some people have to overcome all the time.

Despite people suffering for so long with the condition, over half - 52 per cent - of sufferers are unsure or don’t know that their fungal nail is highly contagious and a over a quarter admitted to waiting a month to seek treatment, possibly spreading the infections to others around them.

Dina Gohil said: “Fungal nail breeds in moist and closed in environments, which means cleanliness is essential to preventing the condition.

“Poor hygiene habits and ignoring the problem, will only make an infection more likely or worsen any existing infection. Sufferers should know that there are targeted treatments for fungal nail infections that do work fast to clear the infection.”

Treatments include Canespro Fungal Nail Treatment Set, which experts said is clinically proven to remove the infected parts of the nail in two to three weeks.